Altona Rare Earths plc is reassess the potential for fluorspar production at Monte Muambe in Mozambique and for diamonds at its Zambia copper project.
VEINS
The move follows results from initial flotation rougher tests which included rare earths recovery of 69.3% and “good selectivity of rare earth minerals versus fluorite”.
Legacy exploration mainly focused on Monte Muambe’s fluorspar potential, encountered as disseminations in rare earth ore and as hydrothermal veins.
The company said that assays of drilling samples showed the “ubiquitous” presence of disseminated fluorspar in rare earths ore at project targets 1 and 4.
The in-depth review will include on-going metallurgical test work, reassessment of legacy data, and collection of new samples and data on site next month.
The company will additionally prepare a conceptual study to assess possible short-term production of met grade fluorspar from low-tonnage, high-grade hydrothermal fluorspar veins.
Altona plans further “optimisation of flotation parameters” over the next few weeks.
An increase in rare earths concentrate grade would “significantly” reduce the capital and operational expenditure.
ZAMBIA
The company has also progressed its Kabompo South copper project in Zambia with a review of the potential for diamonds.
The move is based on legacy reports of diamonds in the Dongwe river, including inside the licence area.
Altona has additionally engaged Namibia-based Earthmaps Consulting to reprocess and review the project’s legacy geophysical datasets.
The data includes a high-resolution ground magnetometer survey covering about 50% of the licence.
Chief executive Cedric Simonet added: “Over the past months we have tremendously increased our understanding of the mineralogy and metallurgy of Monte Muambe, and I am very pleased with the test work’s progress.
“While more work is necessary, and will continue over the next weeks, results received so far show a clear path towards a viable beneficiation process and the production of a rare earths concentrate.
“The possible short-term production of fluorspar, another critical mineral, from Monte Muambe is a very exciting possibility and challenge, which fits neatly in the company’s strategy to diversify its portfolio of commodities and realise the value from its assets.”